About Us
WHO WE ARE
We are a yoga studio located in Blue Bell, PA focused on the traditional practice of Ashtanga yoga. We offer a Mysore program, as well as led classes. Our schedule includes a variety of classes for all levels, including those without any previous yoga experience.
We are excited for you to begin your practice and to grow with our community. We’re here to help you build resilience and encourage and inspire you on your path.
We aspire to create a space to motivate commitment and inspire transformation in alignment with our core vales:
- Community
- Integrity
- Service
MELISSA VITKAY MATT
OWNER & FOUNDER OF PHILADELPHIA ASHTANGA YOGA
From her first class, the Ashtanga yoga method has left a deep and lasting impression with Melissa through its traditional roots and capacity to create meaningful change. Over the years, yoga has become an inextricable part of her wellbeing. In addition to cultivating her personal practice on a daily basis, Melissa has been teaching Ashtanga yoga since 2012 to share the opportunity of this transformative practice with others.
Coming to yoga from a professional background in non-profit training and development, teaching and helping people grow has always been Melissa’s passion. She is dedicated to helping students connect with their own practice and creating a supportive, compassionate community of practitioners.
Melissa has a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development and Leadership with a concentration in Organizational Psychology from Saint Joseph’s University and has completed her 500 hr Yoga Teacher Training at Sun Dog Yoga Studio with Shari Simon. She has traveled to study with Sharath Jois, Tim, Feldmann, David Williams, Nancy Gilgoff, David Swenson, David Robson, Krista Shirley, and Laura Gorham. Additionally, she travels regularly to Ashtanga Yoga Columbus to study and practice with her teacher Taylor Hunt, with whom she has completed extensive mentorship and apprenticeship programs.
Outside of the studio, Melissa spends her time with her two primary teachers, and daughters, Stella and Piper.
ASHLEY TOTTEN
Ashley discovered Ashtanga Yoga in 2018 and has been practicing ever since. The Ashtanga practice initially drew her in because of how physically challenging it was, but it didn’t take long for her to realize all of the mental and emotional benefits it had to offer. It has shown her all she’s truly capable of, and has taught her some invaluable life lessons along the way. To further her study, Ashley completed her 200 hour teacher training in 2020. In addition, she has traveled to Columbus, Ohio to practice and study with Taylor Hunt.
Along with teaching and practicing yoga, Ashley is a mom and elementary school teacher. Teaching has been and continues to be a huge part of her life, which is why she feels blessed to have the opportunity to share this healing practice with others in the community. Ashley teaches Mysore and led classes at PA Yoga, and practices under the guidance of her teacher, Melissa Matt.
AMY JACKSON
Amy was introduced to Ashtanga yoga in 2014, when a friend invited her to a Primary Series workshop. She was immediately drawn to the practice and began exploring the practice more on her own at home. Being a single parent of 5 young children, Amy needed a home practice that was therapeutic in design yet challenged her physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She used a Kino MacGregor video to help guide her through the practice until she was able to find a teacher and practice outside of the home. For the next few years, Amy began diving deeper into the practice, attending Mysore classes when she could as well as weekly led classes, all while maintaining a home practice as well.
In the fall of 2021, Amy discovered Philadelphia Ashtanga Yoga and has been practicing under the guidance of her teacher Melissa Matt ever since. In addition to being a regular practitioner at the shala, Amy teaches the Monday night beginner Mysore class, where she offers individualized instruction in a group setting to those who are new to the Ashtanga yoga method.
When she is not with her children or practicing/teaching yoga, Amy is a Special Education Teacher at a small nonprofit school for children with Autism. Teaching is a part of her everyday life, whether it is at home with her kids, at school with her students, or at PA Yoga with her beginner Mysore class. Amy is currently participating in a year-long mentorship program with Taylor Hunt and Ashtanga Yoga Columbus, where she is diving deeper into both practicing and teaching Ashtanga Yoga.
FAQ's
- Traditionally, the Ashtanga yoga method is passed from teacher to student, one to one. This is the approach we use in Mysore style classes.
Students learn the practice each day at their own pace, and the teacher provides individualized instruction and adjustments appropriate for each
student’s needs. Students get both the benefits of private instruction and the community support of a group setting. - We love that students in the community at all experience levels can practice together.
- Yes, Ashtanga is intended to be a moving meditation. Although the practice incorporates dynamic movement, you will develop a meditative practice by following your own breath and focusing on your gazing point and conditions of each posture.
- During led classes, you can learn the correct breath and vinyasa, and then deepen your focus and meditation on these skills in your personal Mysore practice.
- Ashtanga means “eight-limbed.”
- Although important, the “asana,” or postures, are actually only one of the
eight branches. The other components of Ashtanga yoga are also important transformational tools to study for cultivating a healthy, compassionate existence. We offer daily thanks to the committed teachers in our lineage who bring us these invaluable teachings in order to heal, evolve, and better our lives through daily practice. - Mysore style class is named after the city in South India where this method of yoga originates.
- Yes! Mysore is great for all students. If you’re new to the Ashtanga practice, the teacher will introduce you to a basic sequence of postures to get started. Then you’ll add on more postures as you get familiar over time.
- You’ll get to move and learn at your own pace. Once you learn the sequence, you can join led classes and will have a practice that you can do anytime!
- Just bring your own mat and towel. Less is more!
- Hydrating is important, but you won’t need water during practice.
- Props may be helpful for your home practice, but the teacher can assist you with any challenging postures in the shala.
- As many days as you can! It’s important to make our practice part of our daily routine. Traditionally, we try to practice six days a week and then take a rest day. We can also rest on moon days and ladies’ holiday.
- Your teacher may give you a physical adjustment to support you in a pose. It doesn’t mean you were doing the pose wrong. Adjustments can help you establish proper alignment, create stability, or deepen a stretch. Communicate with your teacher about how adjustments feel.
- Absolutely! Just let the teacher know what series and poses you are working on.
- This tradition originates from Indian Astrology (Jyotish) system and has carried over to the yogic system we follow as ashtangis. We aim to practice six days per week, and can enjoy the two moon days each month to rest from our physical asana practice.
- Since it is traditional not to take practice on the new moon and full moon, these days can be used for alternative practices or spiritual reflection, including meditation, sutra study, and breathing (pranayama) practices.
- We will be closed on the moon days each month. Rest! Click here for the moon days.
FYI's (Etiquette)
You are our welcome guest at the PA Yoga shala. We hope the following info helps you to have a positive experience each time you practice with us.
The mutually dedicated relationship between you and your teacher is essential to a positive learning experience and a safe practice. Your teacher will help guide you on what and how to practice. Communicate any relevant injuries, health conditions, or individual needs with your teacher prior to each practice. Work within your limits and commit to a regular practice to yield a beneficial, growing, and sustainable experience.
Personal hygiene is important. We’re sharing a small space together, and it gets hot and sweaty! Please ensure that you and your gear are clean. Refrain from scented toiletries that may disturb others. Clean your practice area when you are finished.
Please turn off your phone and refrain from unnecessary talking during class
We recommend you don’t drink water during class. We’re trying to build our heat during practice. Drink plenty of water afterward and throughout your day.
Please leave all personal items at the bench area in the entry. Any valuables should be locked in your vehicle or left at home.
Policies/Health Precautions
We value the health and safety of our community above all else, and are dedicated to maintaining a clean, healthy environment for our daily practice.
- We will clean and disinfect the practice space before each class.
- Teachers will sanitize hands frequently.
- Students, please wash your hands before practice.
- Mats will be separated at a safe distance.
- Floors and frequently touched surfaces will be sanitized often.
- Bring only what you need into the practice space; the less the better.
- If you don’t feel well, have a fever, or have been exposed to someone ill, please stay home. You can always join classes online.
- Thanks for helping us keep our community healthy!
